Manufacture of cigarettes



Nov. `A21, 1939.` F. M. EDWARDS yL= r A1. 2,180,669

MANUFACTURE OF CIGARETTES n l Filed DSC. 20, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 \\\l\/ENTORS \/\/\\.L.\AM F. MEDWARDS 'Row/ LAND F. MAY

u VL BWM #MAINS NGV-'21, 1939. w. F. M. EDWARDS Er AL W .2,180,669

` MAUFACTURE 0F CIGRETTES Filed DSC. 2O, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I `llmn'or WILLIAM FM. EDWARDS Row/LAND I:` MAY ATTORNEYS No'v. 21, 1939.A w. F. M. EDWARDS T AL 2,180,669

MANUFACTURE 0F CIGARETTES yFiled Dec. 2o, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM F.' M. EDWARDS R ow LA N D F M A Y B @uw #Jn-WW Y y ATTO/ms@ l Nov. 2l, 1939. w. F. M. EDWARDS ET A1. 2,180,669

MANUFACTURE OF CIGARTTES Filed Deo. 20, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENToRs \/\/1LL)AM FM. EDWARDS Row/LAND F. MAY4 I ,BY

Patented Nov. 2,1,y 1939 y l y v UNITED sTAT-Es' PATENTOFFiCe MAN UFACTURE OF CIGARETTES William lFrederick Maitland Edwards, London, l and Rowland Frank May, Middlesex, England, assignorsy to Filter Tips Limited, London, England, a British company Application December 20, 1934, Serial No. 758,504

In Great Britain DecemberZS, 1933 210mm. v(01.131-39) This invention relates to` the manufacture of The roller 2a may be .carrie'd'by' an arm 2b and cigarettes and'is concerned with improvements in rotates idly, or `if desired may be drivenf so that methods .of and apparatus for the production of its peripheral speed corresponds' `to thatl of the filter tip or like composite cigarettescomprising belt 3. l f y 7 5 cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod and lter The single or double lengths of filter tip or "5` tips or other mouthpiece or intermediate llings other mouthpiece or intermediateformationmay or insertions united together by encircling bands be applied by any suitable means-into the spaces of cork, paper or other suitable external tipping formed between the cigarettes or lengths of Lciga-r material. rette rod. Ina preferred arrangement, however,

Heretofore such cigarettes have been produced an intermittently. rotatable disc or drum Z4 having 10 by associating the lengths to beunited in intera circumferentially arranged series of bores lla mittently movable carryingV means and applying (Figure 2) is arranged so that 'double lengths of the uniting bands without axial movement of the filter. tip 'or other 'mouthpiece or intermediate assembled lengths. formation (hereinafter referred. to as double 15 The present invention has for its primary obfilter tip) inserted into the bores 4a, directly or ject to produce such filter tip ory composite cigaindirectly from forming mechanism or from a rettes on the continuous rod principle whereby suitable hopper feed, are carried successively into the assembling of the lengths andthe application alignment withv ther lengths of cigarette rod. of the uniting bands may take place while the Preferably the disc or drum ,4 is disposed adjacent lengths are travelling forward axially with a to the outlet'side of the rollers2, 2a so that as Q0 view tofacilitating the production at relatively each length of cigarette rod` is v accelerated it is high speed. cause to abut the double filter tip disposed in The invention is hereinafter described by way alignment therewith and carries thel same out of of example with reference to the accompanying the respective bore 4a, and` so that after the g5 drawings, in which: I length of cigaretterod has passed throughthe 25 Figuresl, 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d taken together rep- .bore 4a, leaving a space between `Ait and the sucresent a view in side elevation illustrating one ceeding length of cigarette rod, the disc or drum embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the 4 may move to bring the next double tip into invention; f position. The double tip and length of cigarette Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line JIT-II, rod issuing from the bore 4a pass between pres-` 30 Figure 1c; sure rollers 5, 5ay adapted to feedat the same Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line III-III, speed as the rollers 2, 2a, the roller 5 conven- Figure 1d; iently carrying the belt3 whichis looped around Figure 41s a. sectional View of the suction roller; rollers 6, 6a `while the roller l5a, mounted on an and f arm 5h may be idle or be` driven as desired. 'Ihe 35 Figure 5 is a detail plan view of the plunger intermittent movement of the disc or drum 4 may operating lever. be effected by a cam disc 4b engaging al suitably In carrying the invention into effect according toothed rim 4c on the disc or drum 4. f

to one embodiment, cigarettes, or preferably dou- From the roller 5 the belt v3 carrying the as ble lengths of cigarette rod, .are fed by any suitsembled lengths of cigarette rod and double lter 4'0 able means in a continuous stream through a tips passes into a garniture 'l from' which the guide l and are thereby directed between co-opassembled lengths are directed into a tubular erating pressure rollers 2, 2a, as shown in Fig. 1c. guide 8, preferably having a feed roller 8a co- The roller 2 itself may be driven so that its peoperating therewith, and delivered by such guide ripheral speed is greater than the speed of feed 8 to means for applying uniting bands of cork or 45 of the cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod, but other suitable material whereby the lengths are preferably the roller 2 carries a belt 3 which is joined together to form a continuous rod made driven so as to move at a suitably increased speed up of alternate lengths of cigarette rod and douin relation to the speed of feed of the cigarettes ble lter tips and which is subsequently sub.-

or lengths of cigarette rod, so thateach cigarette divided' to produce cigarettes each containing a 50 or length is thereby accelerated away from the filter tip or other insertion either Vat the mouthfollowing cigarette -or length to form anfinterpieceend or at an intermediate position. mediate space permitting the application of a The belt 3 issuing from the garniture 1 -isled single or double length of filter tip or other over'rollers 9, 9a, I0, Il, the roller II beingdrivmouthpieceor intermediate formation or filling. en through gears Ila, I lb (Figs, 1c and12), for 55` example by means of a chain l2 engaging a sprocket |-|c on spindle |217` which carries gear IIb and passing over a sprocket on spindle IZa and over a sprocket |3a onA a spindle i3 upon which the cam disc 4b is mounted so that thereby the movement of the disc or drum l is definitely related to the travel of the belt 3.

The cork or other uniting bands may be applied by any suitable means. For example, a continuous strip I4 (Fig. lb) of pre-gummed cork or the like may be led from a supply spool I 4a and over a roller Mb, through guide hic and between a driven feed roller Md and pressure roller Me, the latter being carried by a lever idf controlled by a hand-operated cam Mg and return spring for the purpose of starting and stopping the feed of the strip I4. From the rollers Md, Me the striprpasses over a guide roller |411, with its non-gummed side in engagement with a belt l5 looped around rollers |5a, |517'. While carried onvthe belt l5A around the roller |5a the gummed face of the cork or like strip is moistened by the provision of a4 roller IE having a felt rim |6a dipping into a water receptacle Il and preferably driven, as by the provision of gears lb, |60 from a gear ia on a cross-shaft I8.` The belt l5 is perforated and a suction box |50 is arrangedbetween the rollers |5a, Ib so that by the action of suction exerted through the perforations in the belt I5 the strip Hl is retained against the outer face of the belt and thereby directed in a straight path into engagement with a roller i9 by which the cork is applied to the assembled lengths issuing from the guide 8 and which carries the Wrapping belt Zl associated with the final garniture 2|. Preferably the wrapping belt 2t is of less width than the cork or like strip I4 and is received in a corresponding groove |9a in the periphery of the roller I9, the projecting rims Ille on the roller I9 being formed with apertures |30 communicating with a. source of suction |912 vcontrolled by a stationary port ld or equivalent shut-olf member (Fig. 4) in such manner that the cork is released at or about the position at which it engages the assembled lengths. A rotary `knife 22 mounted on a vertical shaft 22a and driven by means of' a gear 22D from a gear lbl on the shaft I8 is arranged to sever the cork strip i4 at a position intermediate the belt |5 and the roller i9. VIn order'to keep the knife 22 clean its under face may be wiped by a Yfelt pad 22o extending into a water container 22d. Theroller 14d by which the feed of the cork ifi is governed is driven, as by means of gears |31', lily', |416, lill from a cross-shaft hlm which may be driven from the c ross-shaft i8 or other convenient part. The cork or like strip lll is thereby fed at a relatively slower speed than the peripheral speed of the roller i3 to allow for the proper spacing of the lengths of cork or the like cut off by theknife 22. If desired, however, the roller, Md may be driven intermittently. s

In order to ensure accurate positioning of the assembled lengths in relation to the cork or like strip during the application of the latter, a grooved roller 23 is arranged above the rroller i9 and driven in unison therewith by a train of gears |97, 59k, 23a, 23h. The roller 23 is grooved to conform to the cigarette rod and is also formed with a central peripheral groove 23o for the accommodation of a rubber felt or band 23d passing around a roller 23e arranged so that the belt or band 23d engages the assembled lengths and positions them centrally on the cork or like strip while the latter is partially Wrapped around the lengths by the belt 25 passing into the garniture El. The garniture 2| may be heated electrically or otherwise to assist setting of the adhesive and may have one or more seam-pressing rollers 2| a or the equivalent associated therewith.

The wrapping belt 20 issuing from the garniture 2| passes. over a roller 24 to a larger roller 25 driven through gears 26a, 25a from the main driving shaft 25 which is carried in bearings 53, 53a and thence is led around a roller 2l, tensioning roller 28 mounted on a tension adjusting lever 28a controlled by a pawl 23h, and rollers 29, 35 to the roller i9.

The continuous composite rod issuing from the ,garniture 2| passes to a final cut-off apparatus in which it is cut by a knife 3| (Fig. la) timed so as to bisect the lengths of cigarette rod and the double-filter tips to produce cigarettes each containing a length of tobacco and a filter tip or mouthpiece. For the purpose of enabling ready adjustment of vthe timing of the cut-off apparatus embodying the knife land. also the cork vor like feed mechanism, such cut-off apparatus and feed mechanism are driven from the mai-n shaft 26 through a differential gear train permitting advance or retard in relation to the assembling means for the lengths of cigarette rod and double tips. For example, the cut-off apparatus may be driven from a Vertical shaft 32 through bevel gearing 32a, 32D, such shaft 32 being vgeared by a bevel gear 32o to a double bevel wheel 25h which meshes with planetary bevel gears 2SC mounted on a cross-pin or spider keyed to the main shaft 26 by pin 26.

shaft 253 and controlled manually through worm and worm wheel gearing 33a, 33h. The cork tip feed mechanism is preferably timed to the cutoff knife 3! by aninclined connecting shaft 34, and bevel gears 35a, 32d and 34h, |80. By rotating the worm 33a the shaft 32 may, by the action of the differential gear train, be advanced or retarded in relation to the shaft 26, thereby Varying the timing of the final cut-01T and cork feed in relation to the assembling mechanism, the main cross-shaft |3 of which is geared to the main shaft 26 by gears 53h (Figure 2), |310, 26d. Such variation in timing causes axial displacement of the uniting band of cork or the like in relation to the assembled lengths and consequently by suitable operation of the differential gear train accurate registration may be readily obtained.

The stream of cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod fed from the guide l may emanate from a hopper feed or from transfer mechanism carrying cigare-ttes from cigarette-making machinery. Preferably, however, the stream issues directly from a continuous rod machine arranged in alignment with theguide l and having cut-off means comprising a knife 35 Fig. 1d) whereby the cigarette rod is cut into lengths and delivered into the guide l, such cut-off means being driven from the main shaft 26 by a vertical shaft 35a and bevel gears 35D, 26e and 35a, 35d.

In starting up the machine it is desirable to avoid the feeding of lengths of cigarette rod into the guide until the rod issuing from the continuous rod machine is properly packed and seamed, and further to be able to throw in the feed to the guide l in timed relation to the knife 35. For this purpose a preliminary guide .'55 associated with the inlet of the guide i is mounted or provided on a lever 36a (Figure 3) pivoted at 35h to a bracket 3l. In starting up the machine h The planetary l gears 25C mesh with a bevel gear 33 loose on the springs Slicunder the control ofa cam 45d (Fig-A the lever 'Stia is held by an'arm 38, mounted on a pivot 38a, engaging a part 36o on the lever 36a, -so that the outer end of the lever provided with the guide' 36 is maintained in a raised. position in which the guide 36 is out of alignment with the guide I. Withtheguide 36' in this position the lengths of cigarette rod as cut off fall freely away into a suitable'receptacle. VThe arm 38 is provided with a roller 38h which, if the arm is moved away from the bracket 3l by pressing a knob 38d and thereby sliding the pivot 38a against a spring 38C, nis brought into line with a cam 33 actin'g'to throw the arm 38 out of engagement with the part 3Sc'in timed relation to the knife 35, so that the guide 36 will be permitted to drop into alignment vwith the guide i to receive the leading length of cigarette rod from the knife 35. As soon as the feed of lengths of cigarette rod into the guide I lis established, the knob 38d may be released so that the. roller 38h again moves out of the path of the`cam39. The cam 39 is mountedon a spindle 39d driven from cut-off apparatus by achain 48 engaging a sprocket 33h- (Figs. 1d and S). The lever 33a, may be fitted with an adjustable stop 36d by which the alignment of the guide 33 with the guide I may be adjusted.

Any suitable means may be provided for charging the filter tips or double filter tips into the bores la in the disc or drum 4. Ina preferred arrangement, adapted for use with sticks of wrappedy lling, the length of which is a multiple of the length of filter tip, for example six, two transfer drums 4I, 42 (Figs. lc and 2) are provided, one extending ateach side of 'the disc or drum 4, the drums 4I, 42 having longitudinally extending channels Gla, 42a in their respective peripheriesA for the reception of the wrapped sticks of filling from hoppers 43, 44 respectively.

Location ofthe wrapped ysticks in the channels 4Ia, 42a is ensured by means such as a roller 44a (Figure 2) driven `in the opposite direction to the travel of the transfer drums by means 'of a belt 44h passing around a pulley '45a on a shaft 45 geared tothe shaft I3 by meshing spiral gears 45h, I3d. Fixed guides, such as 44C (Figure 2) are provided to retain the sticks in the channels 41a, 42a during their passagefrornthe feed hoppers to the point of discharge. The drum 42 is driven intermittently by means of a cam wheel 45a'on a shaft 4t geared to the shaft 45 by bevel gears 46b, 45c, such cam wheel 4ta having teeth cooperating with a toothed wheel 42h and arranged to move the drum 42 through one'step during six steps of movement of the disc or drum 4. AI'he drum 4I is similarly driven by a cam wheel 41a cci-operating with the toothed wheel 4Ib and mounted on a shaft 4l (Figure lc) likewise driven by bevel gearing from the shaft 45.

Eachfdrum 4i, 42 is circumferentially' slotted t'o accommodate rotary cutting discsiii mounted ona spindle 48a. carried by arms 48h and driven through gears 48e, 48d by a chain- 49 `passing over a sprocket 48e and guide sprockets 49a, 4gb.

The cutters 48 are arranged to subdivide the sticks into three parts yand the intermittent `drive Yto the drums 4I, i2 is timed so that while one drum is stationary for the stage-by-stage ejection of the subdivided lengths of filling into the bores 4a in the disc or drum 4, the 'other drum is moved to bring a sub-divided stick into line with the ejecting means.

Ejection of the sub-divided sticks `from the drum 42 ris effected by a plunger 5i) slidable in guides a, 50h (Figs. 1c and 1d), the forward movement of the plunger 50 being effected by ure 2) acting through a double-armed lever 50d. Lever 50d fulcrumed at 50e is provided with a slotlllf at the end opposite cam 45d in which a pin 58g carried by a block 5h is slidably mounted. Block 50h has a bore extending therethrough for plunger 50 which may be provided with a nut or other suitable means 502' on the free end thereof for preventing withdrawal of the plunger from said block by the action of spring iic. The cam 45d being shaped so that the plunger 5U moves in steps to eject the sub-divided lengths from the respective channel 42a in the drum 42 one by one into the bores 4a, and so that after ejection of the three lengths the plunger 5i! is withdrawn in one movement. Similarly, the ejection of the sub-divided lengths from the drum 4I is effected by a plunger 5I slidable in guides 5m, 5H) and operated by springs 5Ic and a lever (not shown) co-operating with a cam on the shaft 45. Alternatively, or in addition, xed guides 52 may be disposed to` engage during rotation of drum 4 the projecting ends of any tips pushed too far through the drum to ensure the more or less central disposition 'of thedouble tips in the bores 4a.

It will be appreciated that owing to the use of sticks of filling each comprising three double length tips, the speed of the hopper feed and transfer'drum mechanism is relatively slow with consequent advantages.

l It will be understoodthat in operation the leading double length of cigarette rod issuing from the' guide I is accelerated by engagement with the belt 3 passing over the roller 2 and is therebybutted against a double tip disposed in the bore 4a. of the disc or drum 4 which is in alignment, thereby effecting the discharge of the double tip from the said bore. The double length of cigarette rod passing through the bore and the assembled lengths of cigarette rod and filter tip or mouthpiece formation or filling are again engaged by the belt`3 passing over the roller 5 and carried forward at the same speed into the garniture'l. At the same timefthe acceleration of the length of cigarette rod provides a space between it and the following length so that when the leading length of cigarette rod has passed through the 'bore 4a the following length is spaced at a sufcient distance to permit the intermittent movement of the disc or drum 4 tol bring the next double tip into the space between the lengths of cigarette rod. The butting of the pairs of assembled lengths together takes place in the guide tube 8 as it will be appreciated that `the feed through such guide tube 8 is effected by the belt 3, if desired in conjunction with the feed roller 8a.v In other words, abutting in tube 8 isA effected by a length in engagement with belt `3 pushing a preceding length, not engaged by belt 3, through tube 8. In passing between the rollers *t It will be understood that the inventionv is not limited to the particular embodiment hereinbel fore described. For example, a continuous stream of cigarettes which, if desired, may be shorter than normal, may be fed through the guide I and spaces may be formed therebetween to receive'lsingle length filter tips. In such a case the cork or other uniting bands may be applied so as to unite the cigarettes and filter tips in pairs, in

which case the final cut-off knife 3| is not required. Alternatively, the uniting bands may be of suitable length and applied so as to unite the alternate cigarettes and lter tips together to form a continuous rod which may be cut off to provide cigarettes having a lilter tip or other desired insertion at an intermediate position in its length. In a further embodiment, cigarettes may be fed so that a space is formed between alternate pairs of cigarettes for the reception of a double length filter tip which is united to adjacent cigarettes by means Aor" a uniting band and is subsequently bisected to provide cigarettes having iilter tip or like mouthpieces. Furthermore, any other suitable means may be provided for forming the spaces between the cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod. Thus, if desired, the cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod may be fed into bores or chambers in an intermittently rotatable drum or the equivalent and carried thereby laterally into a position in alignment with filter tips or lengths of filling or insertion material, each cigarette or length of cigarette rod being ejected axially as by means of a plunger, feed rollers or the like so as to butt the filter tip or the like and discharge the same axially on to a belt or the equivalent leading to the cork or other uniting band-applying means. Alternatively, the filter tip or the like may be applied behind the laterally diverted cigarette or length of cigarette rod. In such modied arrangements the axial ejection of the assembled lengths will be effected at a suitably increased speed in order to permit the association of the filter tips or double lter tips between alternate cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod. Furthermore, non-wrapped filter tips or double filter tips may be utilised by providing means for transferring the same directly or indirectly fromv forming mechanism associated with the length-assembling means. The invention is applicable to the production of cigarettes provided with lter tips or like iillings of any suitable material and formation, including fillings consisting wholly or in part of tobacco, and also to the production of cigarettes provided with tubular or like mouthpieces or insertions.

In all embodiments spaces may be formed between cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod in the manner described and the lengths of iilter tip or other filling or insertion may be applied into the spaces subsequently at any position in advance of the uniting band-applying means.

What we claim is:

l. A method of producing composite cigarettes, wherein cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod fed in a continuous stream are accelerated to form spaces permitting the assembly of lengths of insertion in line with the cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod and to cause the latter to butt against the lengths of insertion, and wherein, during the continued forward travel of the assembled lengths butted one against the other, bands of external tipping material are applied to unite the same.

2. A method of producing composite cigarettes on the continuous rod principle, which comprises cutting a continuous cigarette rod into suitable lengths, accelerating each length after it is cut 01T to provide a space behind the same permitting the application of a length of insertion in line with the length of cigarette rod, and to cause the latter to butt against a length of insertion so applied, and uniting the butted lengths of cigarette rod and of insertion by means of bands of external tipping material.

3. Apparatus for the production of filter tip or composite cigarettes, comprising means for feeding cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod in a continuous stream, an intermittently movable rotary member arranged with its axis parallel to the direction of feed of the continuous stream and having a circumferential series of bores, mechanism for inserting lengths of insertion into the said bores, means disposed adjacent the said rotary member and adapted to engage the lengths of cigarette rod successively and to accelerate the same through the bore in the rotary member which at the moment is in alignment, a belt for carrying the assembled lengths of insertion and lengths of cigarette rod into and through a guide, mechanism associated with the outlet from the said guide and adapted to apply uniting bands of material to the assembled lengths, and means for wrapping the uniting bands around the assembled lengths during their continued forward movement.

4. Apparatus for the production of composite cigarettes, comprising means adapted to assemble lengths of insertion in line with cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod, and mechanism arranged to apply bands of material to unit the assembled lengths while moving'axially, said band-applying mechanism comprising a cutter, a belt and suction box for directing a strip of material to said cutter, a rotary element for receiving lengths of said strip of material cut on by said cutter, suction `means on said rotary element for retaining .said lengths of material until positioned in vengagement with the lengths of cigarette rod, a

wrapping belt associated with saidrotary element, a garniture associated with said belt for wrapping the lengths of material about the lengths of cigarette rod, a grooved roller provided immediately above said rotary element, and a belt carried by said grooved roller and extending along the path of travel of the lengths of cigarette rod for engaging the assembled lengths during wrapping.

5. An apparatus for the production of composite cigarettes, comprising means vfor feeding cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod in a continuous stream, means for accelerating the lengths to form a space between adjacent cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod, an intermittently movable rotary insertion carrier mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of said stream of cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod for inserting lengths of insertion in said space in line with the cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod, and means for applying bands of uniting material about juxtaposed lengths to unite said lengths.

6. An apparatus for the production of composite cigarettes, comprising means for feeding cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod in a continuous stream, means for accelerating the lengths to form a space between adjacent cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod, an intermittently movable rotary insertion carrier mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of said stream of cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod, said carrier having a circumferential series of bores parallel to the axis thereof for bringing insertions carried in said bores into` alignment with the cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod in the space provided between the adjacent cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod, and means for applying bands of unitl2.14am@ ing material about juxtaposed lengths said lengths. Y. a 7. In an apparatus of the character described,

from the` following lengths-of said stream, means for positioning an insertion in front4 of said first length` to be abutted byand displaced by said length,'and a second pair of cooperating rollers moving at the same speed as the first-mentioned accelerating rollers for receiving the abutted length and insertion and displacing them away from the insertion positioningy means. y 8. In an apparatus of the character described, means for feeding a stream of cigarettesor cigarette rod lengthsa pair of cooperating rollers for accelerating the first length of said stream away from the following lengths of said stream, means for positioning an insertion in front of said rst length. to be abutted by and displaced by said length, a second pair of cooperating rollers moving at` the same speed as the first-mentioned accelerating rollers, and a belt passing over-one'of said second pair of rollers for receiving fthe abutted length andinsertion and displacing them away fromthe insertion positioning means.

r v9. Invan apparatus of the character described, means for feeding a stream of cigarettes or cigarette rod lengths, a pair of cooperating ,rollers for accelerating the rst length of said stream.' away from themfollowing lengths of said stream','nrieansl for positioning an insertion in front of said first length to be abutted by and displaced by said v1 length, a second pair of cooperating rollers mova rotary insertion carrier for positioning insertions in a stream of cigarettes or cigarette rod lengths, means for imparting intermittent rotary motion to said carrier, duplicate feed? hoppers for supplying insertions to said carrier, and transfer mechanisms on opposite sides of said carrier for alternately feeding insertions to said carrier from opposite sides.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotary insertion carrier for positioning insertions in a stream of cigarettes or cigarette rod lengths, means for imparting intermittent .rotary motion to said carrier, a feed hopper for supplying insertions to said'carrier, means including a rotary transfer member for transferring insertions from said hopper to said carrier, and means for imparting intermittent rotary motion to said transfer member.

12. Inan apparatus ofthe character described, a rotary insertion carrier for positioning insertions in a stream of cigarettes or cigarette `rod lengths, means for imparting intermittent rotary motion to said carrier, a feed hopper for supplying insertions to said carrier, a rotary transfer lmember for transferring insertions from said hopper to said carrier, means for imparting intermittent rotary motion to said transfer member, said carrier and transfer member having bores for receiving the insertions, one bore of the carrier registering with one bore of the transfer member in the stationary position of said carrier and transfer member, and means for to unite axially displacing an insertion from a bore in the transfer member into a registering bore of the Carrier.

. ,13.In anrapparatus of the character described, a rotary insertion carrienfor positioning insertions ;in a stream of cigarettes or cigarette rod lengths, means for impartingrntermittent rotary motion to said carrier, a Vfeed hopper for supplying insertions to said carrier, a rotary transfer member for transferring insertions from said hopper to said carrier, meansfor imparting intermittent rotary motion to said transfer member, said carrierv andA transfer member having bores for receiving the insertions, one bore of the carrierregistering with one borevof the transfer member in the stationary position of said carrier and transfer member, means for subdividing multiple length insertions while in the bores of said transfer member, and means for axially displacing the subdivided insertions from a bore in the transfer member in stages into registering bores of the carrier.

,14. In an apparatus of the character described, i a rotary insertion carrier for positioning insertions in a stream of cigarettes', or `cigarette rod lengths, means for imparting intermittentrotary motion to said carrier, duplicate feed hoppers for supplying insertions to said carrier, transfer mechanisms on opposite sides of said carrier for alternately feeding insertions to said carrier from opposite sides, said feed hopper and transfer mechanism being adapted .to receive multiple lengths of insertion, cutters associated with the transfermechanism to-subdivide such multiple lengths, and means for ejecting the subdivided lengthsv from the transfer mechanism in stages and inserting the subdivided lengths successively inl bores provided in the carrier.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotary insertion carrier for positioning insertions in a stream of cigarettes or cigarette rod lengths, means for imparting intermittent rotary motion to said carrier, a feed hopper for supplying insertions to said carrier, a rotary transfer member for transferring insertions from said hopper to said carrier, and means for imparting intermittent rotary motion to said transfer member, means for subdividing multiple length insertions While in said transfer member, and means for transferring subdivided insertions in stag-es from the transfer member to the carrier.

16. Apparatus for the production of composite cigarettes, comprising means adapted to as- .semble lengths of insertion inline with cigarettes or lengths 0f cigarette rod, said assembling means comprising an intermittently movable rotary member arranged upon an axis parallel with the direction of movement of the cigarettes or lengths of cigarettev rod and so as to operate at a position between adjacent spaced cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod,y such rotary member having a circumferential series of bores whereby line, and external tip-applying mechanism arranged to unite the assembled lengths by the application of uniting bands after said lengths have been butted together,V the said means adapted to accelerate the lengths comprising a pair of cooperating rollers arranged in advance of the position at which the lengths of insertion are applied and cooperating rollers arranged beyond the position at which the lengths of insertion are applied.

18. Apparatus for the production of composite cigarettes, comprising means adapted to assemble lengths of insertion in line with cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod, mechanism arranged to apply bands of material to unite the assembled lengths while moving axially and a garniture and tubular guide member in which butting of the assembled lengths takes place to lead the assembled lengths to the means for applying the uniting bands.

19. Apparatus for the production on the continuous rod principle of composite clgarettes, cornprising cutting means adapted to sever a continuous cigarette rod into suitable lengths, means adapted to engage and to accelerate the lengths to Vprovide intermediate spaces at predetermined positions, a tubular guide for guiding the lengths to the accelerating means, mechanism for depositing lengths of insertion in the said spaces to effect assembly of the lengths in line, means adapted to apply bands of external tipping material in such manner as to unite the assembled lengthsA after they are butted together,

35. and means for throwing in the feed of cigarettes in the means. for throwing in the feed of oiga# rettes or Ylengths of cigarette rod comprise a preliminary guide, a pivoted arm or lever carrying said preliminary guide, an arm or catch for holding said pivoted arm or lever initially in a raised position, and a cam operating in timed relation to the cut-ofi mechanism associated with arette rod as cut 01T and direct them into theguide leading to the assembling means.

21. Apparatus for the production of composite cigarettes, comprising means for feeding cigarettes or lengths of cigarette rod in a continuous stream, means adapted to accelerate the lengths in such manner as to form intermediate spaces at a predetermined position, means adapted to transfer lengths oi insertion into the said spaces to effect the assembly of the lengths in line, and external tip-applying mechanism arranged to unite the assembled lengths by the application of uniting bands after said lengths have been butted together, said means adapted to accelerate the lengths comprising a pair of cooperating rollers arranged in advance ofthe position at which the lengths of insertion are applied, cooperating rollers arranged beyond the position at which the lengths of insertion are applied, and a belt passing over one roller ci the rst pair and over one roller of the second pair.

WILLIAM FREDERICK MAITLAND EDWARDS. ROWLAND FRANK MAY. 

